Local author brings book to life with movie-like trailer

A local author decided she didn’t need a movie to have a trailer.
Kassana Wilson just debuted a video playing up her first novel this month.
“I decided to make a skit out of it, just to bring my book to life,” the Atlantic City native said of “You Can Do No Wrong.”
The novel’s birth came in nine parts on Facebook, each more anticipated than the last as word of mouth about the story spread.

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Now, the trailer acts not only as a way to create more buzz for the book, but to showcase the talents of others in her community.
“I want to continue to bring out more trailers and more skits and bring my book to life for people in my community,” Wilson said. “Not using the same people, different ones that live in my area.”
She wants to showcase all types of talent, including clothing brands, music and familiar faces.

Local talent in the trailer includes Noon Bornstar, Aaron Green, Nefertiti Ubuntu Hathaway and Ti MsHollywood.

Her book’s cover includes a local model. Takimah Toulson was the trailer’s videographer.
Scenes were created with the help of Selahia Martinez and Nefertiti Ubuntu Hathaway, who also appears in the trailer as the main character’s sister.
Wilson also used her makeup skills on the main character, who’s face is bruised as a result of an abusive relationship.
The story is one drawn from real life.
“I have been in my character’s shoes in the past,” she confides. “And for that reason, I couldn’t be quiet about certain things.”
Others also can relate, she says.
“I get a lot of feedback on my work from the women that read the book,” Wilson says. “A lot … have been here before, being abused and not having someone help them out of that, so they stay because that’s all they know.”
While the book is about a harsh subject, the movement around it is pure positivity.
“Talking to everybody who was involved with the skit, they want to continue to do it,” she said. “I think we just want to grow together.”